A MAN who dumped furniture in South Ham has been fined more than £800 after he was spotted by a witness.

Lee Chapman, of Eastrop Way, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 6, pleading guilty to fly-tipping the items in Elizabeth Road.

The court heard that the 30-year-old was witnessed leaving a mattress and two divan bed bases in a wooded area near the road.

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The mattresses (Image: BDBC)

Magistrates imposed a fine of £480, a victim surcharge of £192 and clear-up costs totalling £140. 

Cllr Laura James, the council's cabinet member for residents' services and housing, said: "Fly-tipping of this nature blights our communities and open spaces, is harmful to our natural environment and is costly to clean up.

“I would urge anybody looking to dispose of large items to check the council’s website for advice on how to do this, including booking a bulky waste collection, taking the items to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre or, if the items are in good condition, donating them to a community furniture project.”